Return buyers for the Orana Partnership weaner calves bode very well for the Malseed family.
Paul and Carolyn Malseed – who farm at Breakaway Creek, Condah and surrounds with the help of son Rhys and his partner Akala – will sell 180 steers and 80 heifers, March/April drop, at the independent agents’ feature Hereford sales in Hamilton. Mr Malseed said NSW bullock producer Paul Mason had competed to buy their Hereford steers for the past four or five years.
He said this suggested buyers liked the way they calves grew out – and investing in good genetics was key to achieving that.
They’ve used Yarram Park bloodlines for 30 years in the about 500-cow herd, which includes 420 autumn calvers and 70-80 spring calvers.
The Malseeds tend to spend $8000 to $12,000 on bulls, which are chosen for the good carcase traits that see them put good shape into their calves.
Mr Malseed said despite the calves had come through the wet winter and spring well.
“Herefords have been so good to us over the years – they’ve got great temperaments and finish well on grass,” Mr Malseed said.
He is really happy with the even line out of the first calving heifers this year, which resulted from them artificially inseminating 60 heifers to Yarram Park bulls and joined about 30 naturally.
Cattle receive 5-in-1 boosters and get a Multimin injection at de-horning in September.
